Car wash planned in Sauganash

A drive-through car wash is being proposed for a longtime undeveloped parcel at 6140-52 N. Pulaski Road in Sauganash.

The automated car wash would be set back in the rear of the lot, with vehicles entering at the south end of the building and exiting at the north end. There also would be outdoor vacuums that motorists could use to clean the interior of their vehicle.

A former car wash on the property closed more than 10 years ago, and a restaurant also once operated on a portion of the site. The project would require approval of a zoning change from the City Council and the issuance of a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The parcel is located 1 1/2 blocks north of Peterson Avenue and across from the Peterson Park Health Care Center, 6141 N. Pulaski Road. Behind the parcel is a former railway line, where the Weber Spur bike and pedestrian trail is planned.

Alderman Margaret Laurino (39th) recently held a community meeting on the proposal on Thursday, Oct. 19, and the site’s developer is planning to conduct a traffic study to address concerns raised at the meeting. Laurino had the property downzoned several years ago to give the community input into its future redevelopment, she said at the time.